The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-18

with his customary attempt 70 claim ehas the /
ommittee had acted fairly. and Senator Smith, |
in the chair. said: considerable latitude has |
been allowed Senators to explain their votes.
They must be brief, or they will not be heard at
all; but, Senator Davis, you can have all the |
time you want" But, accepting this as mean |
ing ''cut it short" the Senator closed with BE
lieving that evidence ruled out by the committee
went directly to the ineligibility of
the confession, Mr. Brannaman, l vote no."
Senator Huston sent another keen-edged remark
after the enemy in believing that Senator Nc
Donald was expelled hastily and indecent!y, and
that there is no evidence to clear the skirts OF
throwing all his energy into his emphasis, said
This day evidence was introduced before the
committee to prove that Brannaman is guilty of
bribery, but it has been excluded therefore l
vote no." Senator Winter, with his usual Quiet
but forcible method, II hold that rumors are not
sufficient secure conviction in any court where
justice prevails. There has been evidence to
show that Brannaman is guilty of bribery, aye
more guilty than you would have Senator Nc
Donald appear. l vote no." But Brannaman
was given the seat by the twenty-nine Demo-
Gratis voting against the sixteen Republicans:
Senator Winter gave notice that be and
his Republican colleagues would file
protest as soon as they could reduce ID to writ
| ing. Frank Brannaman was then sworn In. He
stood to the Of the Presidents desk under the
guardianship of Jason Brown. waiting to take the
oath. Notwithstanding the opinion the Repub-
can Senators scathingly expressed as to the man.
ner of his securing seat IN the Senate. Senator
Bailey then, to perfect the deed. moved recon-
| sideration of the adoption Of the renort and to
| lay the motion on the table. AS they did on the
cali of the yeas and nays the Democrats respond
| ed half heartedy.
| AS a supplement- to this unparalleled exhibit
| ton of injustice Senator Fowler introduced the
following:
Whereas 1t appears that the interest of the people
| of Indiana seriously endangered by the commo-
ton and political strife existing in this General
Assembly, and arising from the matter and manner OF
| DISCRIMINATING qualifications of it's members and
| Whereas, This Senate, without questioning or
crticisng the prerogratve of the House. views with
alarm the precedent offered by the unseatng of Cor
nelius Meagher. of Vigo county. and
Whereas, The persistent endeavor to allow repre-
sentative complexion in either House by the extrava,
giant and extraordinary exercise of prerogative is al
ways to be regarded as an element of great public
Whereas. The Senate, on account of the great need
of legislation to the interests of the benevo-
lent and other institutions of the State is to
entering into strained and technical examination of
| the membership of either house: therefore be it
Resolved. That conference committee be appoint
ed to consist of five members from the House and am
equal number from the Senate whose duty it shall be
to confer together. and. if possible agree upon and
report back to each branch of the General Assembly
some method of procedure by which to assume
fu and proper consideration for the matters rected
in the foregoing preamble and such determination as
| the demands thereof may seem to require.
Some of the Republicans did not pay close at
| tention to the phraseology of the preamble and
were caught mapping. under the apparent fair
ness OF the proposition, but Senator Winter,
should be the judge Of its own members. Sena-
| tor Campbell remarked that the preamble and
resolution assumed that either house act in
violation of proof aas ->4-.s-4-eo oy v-sse. .'r-
| to withhold contests. Senator Kennedy told
the Democrats that lie knew they were
| coming after him. but he would not
give fifteen cents to remain and vote
| for United States Senator His contestee
might vote now. but his vote will be counted in
! Washington. He is ready for conference, but
not for his own sake. The paper was adopted,
! Brannaman casting his first vote in its favor.
Senator Thompson of Jasper having blunt
ly exposed the concealed reprimand of
! the House for unseatng Meagher, opened
| the eyes of the careless Republicans, who
| changed their votes. Senator Fowler had the
| vote reconsidered and then an amendment of
the preamble by striking the reference to the
| Meagher contest. In this form it was finally
adopted. But during the call Senator Drake
| said, "As / am opposed to compromising
| wrong. and am not in favor of compounding a
felony, l vote no." Senator Smith, in the chair,
| for a moment did not catch the remark, but
! turning quickly and irritably upon the speaker
| inquired, MAY I ask what the Senator means
| by compounding a felonyP
II have explained my vote" calmly remarked
| Senator Drake.
''The President of the Senate orders you." ex
claimed Senator Smith, ito state what you
| mean"
1.-The Chair cannot order me to explain my
vote"
Have the language Of the Senator taken
down, Senator Smith said to the Secretary. This
was placed in the form of motion by Senator
Sellers and Senator Rahm supplemented it
with II regard the remarks an insult to every
Democrat in the Senate" This breeze passed
over without further danger to the peace Of the
Democratic side.
Senator Thompson, of Jasper, made inquiries
| rs to how he could have subp9nas served. He
understood the committee would consider the
contest against him as tie next case 1t was his
understanding that the old charge had been
} withdrawn and a new substituted since Sat
urday. Senator Bailey gave satisfaction in
his explanato on, but gracionsly informed Sena
tor Thompson that he would have q hearing
when the committee got through with Senator
Kenuedy's case.
Satisfied with these few hours of asserting tn,
J disposition Of relentless majority the Senat,
adjourned.
Legislative Notes.